Writing a new chapter?

Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what's happening in the world as it unfolds.

Photos:Writing a new chapter?

The Nigerian government is hoping that pencil production can revitalize an economy suffering from a downturn in oil prices.

Hide Caption

1 of 8

Photos:Writing a new chapter?

Pencil production will begin in 2018, for the first time in West Africa. Minister of Science and Technology Ogbonnaya Onu claims the new industry could generate 400,000 jobs, although this figure is disputed.

Hide Caption

2 of 8

Photos:Writing a new chapter?

Nigerian President Mohammadu Buhari (R) has committed to continuing with the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP), started by former President Goodluck Jonathan (L). The Plan aims to scale up the nation's industrial production.

Hide Caption

3 of 8

Photos:Writing a new chapter?

Manufacturing has slumped in Africa's largest economy. The textile industry provided around 350,000 jobs at its peak during the 1980s, a figure that has fallen to 25,000 today.

Hide Caption

4 of 8

Photos:Writing a new chapter?

The pencil project has been criticized for a perceived lack of ambition. Critics compared the project unfavorably with Uganda, which has seen more eye-catching innovations such as a solar-powered bus.

Hide Caption

5 of 8

Photos:Writing a new chapter?

But the global pencil industry has an estimated value of almost $3 billion, and continues to thrive in the digital era.

Hide Caption

6 of 8

Photos:Writing a new chapter?

The modern pencil industry originated in the German city of Nuremburg in the 17th century, where the two largest manufacturers were founded - Staedtler and Faber-Castell.

Hide Caption

7 of 8

Photos:Writing a new chapter?

The oldest known pencil from the 17th century on display at the Faber-Castell castle in Nuremburg.